I have a date!!

I actually have a date!!

Ok...not that kind of date (ho-hum!) but a date for the RPE (Rapid Palate Expander) surgery.

May 21st, 7:30am.

Dr. Quaroni was very good and quick this morning. He checked the appliance and said that it and my teeth look very good and clean. Then he asked if I had any questions, which, I did, like what the home care be like and if I have to wait a certain number of days/weeks before traveling (not like I'm heading for the ocean or anything, but, you never know!), but he said he wouldn't answer those until our final visit before the operation. *sigh* Fair enough. He patted me on the shoulder and left. His nurse and the surgical coordinator came into the room and asked if he was done and after I said, "yes," his nurse said, "Dang, he's like a ninja sometimes! He's in with a patient one second and then I barely turn my head and he's gone - just like a ninja!" Imagine that, my oral surgeon is a NINJA!!

 

I left the office thinking "Holy crap, I have a date. Holy crap, I'm going to have surgery..."

I'm still thinking it and now really feeling antsy. It's hard to wrap my head around how fast this is going and how much more REAL it is becoming. I'll settle down, but for now, I need to keep praying - I know in my heart this is what I'm supposed to be doing -  I just didn't know "God's time" would be so quick! I guess God is a "ninja" too :)

Pause in the action...

What a week this has been...the bombing at the Boston Marathon and then the factory explosion in the town of West, Texas - we've all, in some way, have experienced a bit of "darkness."

Last night I was very fortunate to be part of and event called "Walk/Run for Boston." A local running group, Gilbert's Gazelles, organized this event to gather runners in Austin (along with their friends and families) to gather for a vigil to honor those 180 men and women from Austin who ran in the Boston Marathon but mostly to remember everyone who was affected by the bombing, especially the three who sadly lost their lives to the merciless doings of two young men. Hundreds of people of all shapes, sizes, and running abilities gathered in the Stephen F. Austin High School parking lot for a moment of silence, to listen to a few word from Gilbert, observe 26.2 seconds of silence (26.2 = number of miles in a marathon) and then to hear "Amazing Grace" performed on the bagpipe. Afterwards - all of us joined in the unison prayer of running and enjoying each other's company, all while carrying various forms of light with us. Sometimes it's these "unintentional" and "non-traditional" prayers that are the best to offer. Just being "present" often speaks louder than words can ever express.

A few members from the running team I'm on, Team FX, came together for this event as well. Our primary goal is to spread awareness about child abuse and to "Create a world without child abuse...one step at a time," but our goal last night was to support a greater community. It is so humbling to be part of a group of people who genuinely care for this world and are willing to give up, even small amounts of time, to share light with others. One of our own team members ran the Boston Marathon, safely coming home to us, so that made the evening that much more special.

I have to post this because this is so much bigger than a new set of teeth. Yes, the "mouth project" will go on, but it's important to check ourselves now and again and take the time to acknowledge that there are things and people that need us more than we need ourselves.

 

 

4/17/13 - The "Appliance"

Expander is IN!

Thankfully, it was painless and a little comical! Stephanie was terrific. She showed me the appliance and how to turn it with the key. She had me turn it a few times, which was very helpful since I "get" to do it myself. When she was putting it in to be sure it fit properly, she said "you'll probably feel some new sensations and you'll probably think 'what the heck is she doing to me' and that's perfectly normal."  While she was putting it in I started laughing, not because it felt very different but because of the amount of drool I was producing (which, thankfully, is normal!)! Dr. Mai came and did some finishing touches. After I have the surgery and when Dr. Q gives the 'ok' I will turn it twice a day for two weeks (gag!). I see Dr. Q next Thursday so hopefully I can schedule the operation then.

I'm definitely talking "funny" so choir should be interesting tonight! Good thing I have a group that has a good sense of humor! Both Dr. Mai and Stephanie said to practice talking, do it slowly and in time my speech will improve - it differs from person to person, so we'll see how much improvement I make!

Here it is:

4/16/13 - Almost...

Tomorrow I get the expander put in. I'm anxious...and ready...ready, mostly to get these spacers/separators out - they drive me crazy!

4/14/13 - I...HATE...SPACERS!!

Ever had something caught in between your teeth that you just couldn't get out? That's the feeling with these teeny-tiny annoyances between my molars! They were ok for a little while, but now, they're driving me nuts! But in the back of my mind I hear Dr. Mai saying that "they could fall out with your normal eating activities and even with brushing" and then I quit my whining and continue to count the days until I get..."the appliance"